Our Programs
Aimed at Solutions
Our Impact
Four Stories
Hand Up
Tony O.
Tony was unemployed, out of school and playing video games to hide his anxiety about his life. BladeRunners provided training and a job opportunity and Tony hasn’t looked back.
Show Up
Loreen K.
Loreen became a sex worker at fourteen years of age. NYSA helped with counselling, training and housing so Loreen could get her life together. She is happily working at an insurance brokerage and saving money to buy a car.
Keep Up
Jason S.
Jason’s family has been in our region for thousands of years. He didn’t feel like he fit in on the reserve so he moved to Nanaimo. He came to NYSA interested in working in restaurants. After an extended training program, he was hired by a local hotel to work in food and beverage. Since then, he has told many of his friends about NYSA and several of them have been trained in our programs as well.
Speak Up
Melissa R.
Melissa didn’t know what she wanted to do — she just knew she didn’t want to go to school. She had dropped out and was couch surfing for over a year. NYSA provided transitional housing, training and certifications which prepared Melissa for her career. Still living in Nanaimo, she is happily working as a framer for a local housing contractor.
* Names and some details have been changed to protect the privacy of our clients.
Our Services
Housing Centre
NYSA provides 22 transitional housing units to youth 16 to 19 in its Youth Housing building and 14 affordable housing spaces to those 19 to 25 in the historic Rowe House.
NYSA also provides SmartRenter workshops to youth who learn the responsibilities and rights of tenants and landlords.
Life skills programming in housing includes budgeting, menu planning, personal development and other useful skills.
Learning Centre
BladeRunners is a job training program that prepares youth for full time employment. The program pays a stipend during the learning phases and can provide funding for tools, work wear and other employment -related costs.
L2N Driver Training is a program that provides a car and driver to allow young drivers to build the requisite hours leading to a driving test.
PERSONAL SUPPORT
NYSA’s Supportive Living program provides outreach support to approximately 50 young people under the care of the Ministry of Child and Family Development.
Other supports for youth clients include life skills workshops, job coaching and assistance with resumes and job-finding strategies.
What Drives Us
Our Mission
We provide learning opportunities and support to youth so that they can succeed on their path to independence, while acknowledging that individuals are affected by their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
Our Support
What Others Say
Housing Options
“I can’t believe I get to live in a place as nice as this. It’s like a dream come true.“
BladeRunners
“Thank you for picking me for this program. It has created a whole new life for me!”
Happy Employer
“While I know that not all young workers will turn out great, I am impressed with the youths coming from NYSA.“
Finding A Home
“I didn’t believe I could find a place to live for a price that I can afford. And it’s nice too!“
Off the Street
“I was going nowhere until I was accepted into BladeRunners Security Guard program.”
Finding Real Work
“I wondered how good could this program really be. I got a good job with great pay and benefits.“
Respect
“I used to worry about respect all the time. Now that I have a great job and good money, I don’t even think about that any more.“
Love the Cause
“I’ve given several donations to NYSA over the years. I love the organization, it’s people and its mission!“
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NYSA acknowledges our work takes place on Coast Salish territories and primarily the lands of the Snuneymuxw people.